synthetic oils

[raf40@oes.amdahl.com (Richard Funnell)]

Q,

I thought this posting to the Mercedes list may be of interest (a little
cross pollination).


>I have found no evidence of synthetic oils "sliding off metal parts"
>any more than fossil juice.  I am intrigued about the rumor that the
>aviation industry is poo pooing synthetics, since they developed them
>to begin with.  On the contrary, I have found numerous references to
>the polar nature of ester based synthetics (used by AMSOIL, Redline,
>Mobil 1, and Syntec) imparting the ability of synthetics to cling to
>metal parts.  The only guys making a fuss about it are Castrol
>(remember their engine that ran without oil?), even though the you
>could get the same results with any ester based synthetic.
>
>Aside from price, I have found no other negative information about
>synthetics.  Oil change intervals are up to the individual (as
>always), but keep in mind that conventional oils start out with a
>goodly amount of sulfur and ash.  An oils ability to remain non-
>corrosive is measured by its Total Base Number and synthetics
>typically have much higher TBNs.  Also keep in mind that commercial
>trucking companies have fancy oil filters that are able to separate
>out some of the corrosives (I haven't figured that out exactly how
>yet) so that many of the commercial diesel trucks can go more than 90,
>000 miles without detrimental effects to the engine.
>
>Synthetics are truly and scientifically better than fossil based oils,
> but the decision of whether the cost and extra benefits are
>desirable and warranted is a personal choice.  As many MB owners have
>proven in one of the spring issues of the STAR, engines can run a
>long long time on conventional oils.
>

Richard Funnell, OES
raf40@oes.amdahl.com
tel. (408) 992-2265
fax. (408) 746-7633